A
tour through the beguiling land of Kerala is sure to be a lifetime
experience. Aptly referred as God's own country, Kerala has ample to offer
everyone and never disappoints. Kerala is a place where serenity of nature
mingles with the humble nature of people and this qualifies it for the title
" Gods own country". The chirping of birds, ripples in lakes and
lagoons, gentle breeze in air, prance of paddy fields, songs of choir women
create a symphony that has a long-lasting effect on the tourists. The
mystery of Kerala seems to be unresolved as the place has something new to
offer in every season. There is an unlimited treasure of joy in kerala!
There are sun blanched beaches, serene lakes and lagoons, steep mountains,
deep valleys, dense forests, picturesque backwaters, extensive paddy fields,
thick groves of coconut trees and many other such things.
Major Cities in Kerala
The cities of Kerala are known for their unique appeal. Blessed with nature’s
bounty, these cities attract travellers from across the world. Given below
are some of the most important and most visited cities in Kerala.
Alleppey
The backwater town of Alleppey is famously known as the ‘Venice of the
East’. It is also the starting point for your houseboat cruises in
Kerala. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a big tourist attraction in Kerala. The
coir and carpet industries of Alleppey are also popular.
Cochin
An important city of the colonial era, Cochin occupies a place on the
south-western coast of the Indian peninsula. The city of Cochin or Kochi is
famous for its colonial heritage, backwater cruises and delicious seafood.
Trivandrum
The capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram serves as the
entranceway to the state of Kerala. The trade history of Trivandrum dates
far back to 1000 BC. The Aranmula Boat Race, Napier Museum, Neyyar Dam and
Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple are some of major attractions in
Thiruvananthapuram.
Kottayam
The city of Kottayam is an important commercial centre in Kerala. The
Vembanad Lake, the largest in Kerala, covers most part of Kottayam. The city
has the scenic backwaters on the west and the western ghats on the east.
Kovalam
The town of Kovalam, an important backwater destination, lies 10 km south
of Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala. Kovalam in Kerala is comprised of
three crescent shaped beaches. However, swimming at Kovalam beach is not
advisable.
Beaches in Kerala
The state of Kerala features some of the finest and mostly uncrowded
beaches in India. Here, apart from indulging in a number of water sports,
you can also experience the beach-side culture and enjoy houseboat cruises.
Some of the most visited
beaches in Kerala
include
Alappuzha Beach,
Kovalam Beach,
Fort Kochi Beach,
Marari Beach and
Varkala Beach among others.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala
The wildlife in Kerala is also equally inviting. The state of Kerala has
famous wildlife sanctuaries like
Periyar Tiger Reserve,
Idukki National Park,
Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary and
Kumarakom
Bird Sanctuary. Talking of wildlife safaris, you have options like
elephant safari, jeep safari and boat safari. Get in touch with us for
safari timings and safari booking in the wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala.
Shopping in Kerala
Kerala has an unbroken tradition of over thousand years in arts and crafts.
The state excels in making aranmula mirror, gold and silver brocaded
fabrics, boxes, buttons and ash trays of steel with silver lining, pottery
and ceramic products. However, it is famous for its ivory carvings from very
old days. One can find these items in Chalai Bazaar and Main Road.
Activities to Do in Kerala
One can also indulge in trekking as Periyar in Kerala has marvellous and
somewhat challenging jungle treks for the fearless. The
backwaters of Kerala
are one of the most important highlights of Kerala tourism. One of the most
popular activities to do in Kerala, houseboat cruises are fun and game for
travellers. You can book a houseboat cruise for the shortest of few hours
and an overnight to the longest of a few days. These luxurious houseboats
come along modern amenities and facilities. The cruise happens to be both
scenic as well as experience-oriented. Going for ayurveda therapies in
Kerala is another wonderful activity to do. Visit the
ayurveda centres in Kerala
and plan a health program for yourself.
How to Reach Kerala
Thiruvanthapuram, the capital of the state, is very well connected to all
major airports in India like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Kochi and
Calicut are other two airports connected from air to other cities in India.
The road journey in Kerala is most dramatic and offers thrills. The state is
connected to other parts of the South India by a number of national
Highways. There are almost 200 railway stations and there are long distant
express trains that connect to other parts of the country. Railways
alongwith roadways and airways share the burden of transporting passengers.
Beach Resorts in Kerala
One of the finest ways to experience the beauty of Kerala is by booking
your stay at one of the many beach resorts in Kerala. Laced with five-star
comforts, these beach resorts are wonderfully located. Some popular beach
resorts in Kerala are as follows.
